Saturday August 6, 2011

Robbers set fire to shop after failing to crack safe

JOHOR BARU: Frustrated robbers are believed to have set fire to a three-storey prayer paraphernalia shop in Taman Nusa Bestari here after failing to break open the safe in the premises.

It was learnt the fire began from a back room on the third floor and spread to the second floor at around 5am on Friday, setting ablaze the products in the shop.

Shop owner Yan Quan said he suspected robbers set the fire in anger after failing to pry open the safe where petty cash was kept.

It was understood a large pair of scissors and pliers were found near the safe.

Yan, who had been operating the shop for five years, said the incident had affected his business during the Hungry Ghost festival which started last Monday.

“Now I have to look for suppliers to meet the demand for prayer items from my regular customers,” Yan said, adding he was glad no one was injured.

Johor Baru Fire and Rescue Department operations commander Raja Saiful Iswandi Raja Hassan said they received a distress call at around 6am and arrived 10 minutes later.

“We managed to put out the fire and also prevented it from spreading to the neighbouring premises,” he said.